When A Drum Beats - Big Country

Is this civilization

Is this all we’re gonna be

A helpless United Nations

A censored BBC

War in the African nations

Hate in the Middle East

Just a mess of frustration

Waiting for release

Oh, no!

When they beat a drum

It’s too much to swallow

Oh, no!

When they beat that drum

It just sounds so hollow

I’m not ready to fight

I’m not ready to go

I saw an F-111

Beside a Kremlin guard

And the Magnificent Seven

In the printed word

Is this a public service

Or a civil war

While I sit here nervous

Waiting for a call

Oh, no!

When they beat a drum

It’s too much to swallow

Oh, no!

When they beat that drum

It just sounds so hollow

I’m not ready to fight

I’m not ready to go

Let cities crumble, empires waste

And generals find a resting place

For leaders too will be replaced

If fear and fate come face to face

Leave a red sky for night time

Know a mother’s love

Here now for all time

Lose the tyrant’s glove

Give the whole of the life lime

On the reaching palm

Leave us out of the dead line

For tomorrow’s man

Oh, no!

When they beat a drum

It’s too much to swallow

Oh, no!

When they beat that drum

It just sounds so hollow

I’m not ready to fight

I’m not ready to go

Oh, no!

When they beat a drum

It’s too much to swallow

Oh, no!

When they beat that drum

It just sounds so hollow

I’m not ready to fight

I’m not ready to go